Sponsor us please!

[Becks]

Hello everyone! This Saturday Brooner, Grassie, Rocky, Chepls and myself will be taking on the Great Wilderness Challenge, 25 miles through tough Highland terrain from Dundonnell to Poolewe. Orienteers have a long history of doing well in this challenge (BigJon's record is uber impressive), but we will be focussing on getting round with some good banter on the way. We're running in memory of Brooner's Dad, John Brown, who passed away from cancer last Christmas. We've already raised £125 each for the causes named by the race, and now we're trying to raise a bit for Marie Curie Cancer care - a cause also close to my heart.

We've got a Just Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/GWC2009/ - any donations you can make, big or small, would be much appreciated. If you know any sun dances, we'd like some good weather too!

Wish us luck!

Thanks, Becky (and Brooner, and Rocky, and Grassie, and Chepls)

[Wendles]

Can't seem to get the page to load Becks, have you had any other problems?

[SIman]

Opens OK for me. Still deciding how much to give.

[Wendles]

It's working now! So make up your mind about that donation SiMan. Ulterior motive in replying to this thread, pushes it back up the list so that those of you who haven't dipped into your pockets yet may do so!

[mharky]

I'll double mine if Rocky or Cheps beat Big Jon's record. Not sure what I'll do if Grassie or Brooner beat it. Probably phone WADA...

[Big Jon]

I'll offer Oleg or Rocky £100 if they beat my record..... its tough........

[Wendles]

Come on folks, help them double their target - this is one tough run!

[SIman]

208 - Radio Luxembourg - or the percentage of their target that they have raised so far.

-keeping this thread near the top so you get a reminder to add to the total.

[Becks]

Thanks to everyone who's sponsored us so far - that's a great amount of money to go to a very important cause. I just downloaded the Mountain Forecast, and as long as we finish in a semi decent time tomorrow, we should be able to see where we're going! It's going to be boggy though.

BigJon - still think trainers are the best, even if uber wet? Graeme thought fell shoes, but it's looks pretty much like armageddon when he was out there!

[Big Jon]

Becks - don't know if this will reach you in time- shoes - trainers definitely best in dry underfoot conditions. Wet underfoot - something with some grip but also some padding - those last 5-6 miles are very very hard. Also avoid trail shoes that have padding and grip but also weigh a ton when wet. In summary - dry = road racers, wet = well padded inov8 type...... But I reuse to take any responsibility for failure due to poor tyre choice

[brooner]

Cheers Jon - I'll pass on the message.

Thanks too to all those who've contributed with either money or best wishes, all very much appreciated!

I've just eaten my body weight in preparation, and we're about to head out west...

[eddie]

word from the mountains

'course changed due to weather brooner 3.40 for 22miles strainbags 2.40 in 2nd 6 ins back. cheps 10 mins back becks came past duncs and broon looking fresh!'

[Wendles]

Apparently marshals had to be airlifted out after being stranded by river in spate - so course changed. Team in high spirits, enjoyed the experience and managed some good views of Knoydart, considering going to tonight's Ceilidh! A couple more sponsors would get them up to £500!

[Becks]

Well, despite the changed course (22 miles, a little less climb) that was an awesome experience! Murray ran a super impressive time, Oleg bonked a little at the end but was still pretty darn quick. After plodding round I espied a struggling Brooner and Grassie on the road about a mile from the end, and just sneaked past them to finish a minute ahead, thanks to help from my new friend Chris of Peebles! The weather held up well while we were out, and I got a beautiful view of Torridon, and the real Wilderness which we couldn't get in to. I declined the offer of a glass of wine at the Carnmore checkpoint, but Grassie was almost tempted by the whisky!

I think we're all raring to go for a second shot at the real thing, especially after our ice bath at Mellon Udrigle today. Very, very cold.

Thanks again to everyone who's sponsored us - there's still time if you'd like to donate. The atmosphere throughout the race and in the village was brilliant - I think we'd all highly recommend it as something to take part in, and a very worthy cause to fundraise for.

Photos to follow as soon as my upload is finished!

[rocky]

I'll offer Oleg or Rocky £100 if they beat my record..... its tough........

Can I carry that offer over till next year Jon? I'll definitely be back for a crack at "the real thing" in the future - have to hope that speedy Mr Raistrick doesn't turn up though!

Great event though: company, scenery, weather, route all top notch. And the beer afterwards was lovely too!

And It's all for a good cause, so keep those donations rolling in!

-m